Monthly devotion
April 2008

The Scripture:

Luke 15:10-32

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to
his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And
he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son
gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there
wasted his substance with riotous living.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and
he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of
that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would
fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no
man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired
servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with
hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father,
I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to
be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way
off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his
neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned
against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy
son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and
put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And
bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.

And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he
came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he
called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he
said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted
calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and
would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he
answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee,
neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never
gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as
this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou
hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art
ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should
make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive
again; and was lost, and is found.

Our thoughts:

We all stumble and fall. We all make mistakes. It doesn't matter how hard
we try we can not be perfect! I know there have been many times in my
life where I have drifted away from God but at no time has he ever not
accepted me back. It doesn't matter what you have done, how far you have
drifted away, or how long it has been sense you turned your back on him
he still loves you! He will accept you back! All you have to do is to
ask!

Our prayer for you:

Dear Lord, Please help us to not turn our backs on you. Please give us
the strength to hold on and to trust you fully no matter what the
situation is. Help us to fully trust and serve you! Lord, help us to
understand that even if we do fail and turn away from you and your love,
we can still come back to you. Lord touch their hearts and please let
them know that it is not to late! Help them to understand that your love
for them is greater than any other love and that you will hear their
prayer. Show them that all will be forgiven and you will accept them
back. Thank you for your unfailing love. Amen.